Curling staircases gleamed with polished wood and rich red carpet.And there were people—everywhere. They looked fuzzy, like we were in the middle of fog. Their voices echoed from faraway. They wore furs and silks, long gowns and sharp black jackets. Their boots shone; their coats fluttered behind them like wings. Glasses in their white-gloved hands caught the light and winked at me.Most of them held concert programs.To the left, through the main Hall doors, were rows upon rows of bright red seats. I took a lurching step closer. It felt like lugging two dead weights behind me, and four other legs.Oof, Frederick grunted. A little warning would be appreciated, Olivia. We must move together, remember?I hardly heard him. From this position, I could see the stage and the pipe organ, blazing with light.“It’s so grand, isn’t it?” someone near us said, a silver-haired lady in furs.“Indeed,” said her companion, a tall man with a shining mustache. He looked upon the arched ceiling with puffed-up pride.
